Prediction: VfB Stuttgart vs Celtic

Prediction: VfB Stuttgart to win 3-1

Best Odds: 8/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet

VfB Stuttgart and Celtic will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Europa League this week. The second leg of the Knockout Round Play-offs tie between the Bundesliga club and the Scottish Premiership outfit will be held at the MHPArena and is scheduled to kick off at 5:45pm UK time on Thursday.

VfB Stuttgart

VfB Stuttgart are a big and established club in the German top flight. A historic club, Die Schwaben finished as high as ninth in the Bundesliga table last season and will be determined to finish in a similar position this time around.

Sebastian Hoeness’s side are doing extremely well. Stuttgart are as high as fourth in the Bundesliga table at the moment with 43 points from 23 matches. Die Roten are also virtually guaranteed to progress to the next stage of the UEFA Europa League, given their resounding win in the first leg.

Stuttgart will head into the game against Celtic on the back of a 3-3 draw with 1. FC Heidenheim 1846 away from home in the Bundesliga. It came after a 4-1 hammering of Celtic at Celtic Park in the UEFA Europa League, which followed a 3-1 victory over Koln in front of their fans in the league.

Team News:

VfB Stuttgart are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Nubel will be in goal. Assignon, Jacquez, Jeltsch and Mittelstadt will be the four defenders. Karazor and Andres will be the two holding midfielders. El Khannouss, Undav and Fuhrich will be the three attacking midfielders. Demirovic will lead the line for Stuttgart.

Celtic

Celtic have been the dominant force in Scotland for a number of years now and headed into the new campaign as firm favourites for the Scottish Premiership title. However, things have been very disappointing for the Hoops, who could lose the crown.

Martin O’Neill’s side are third in the Scottish Premiership table at the moment. The Hoops have picked up 54 points from 27 matches and are two points behind second-placed and bitter rivals Rangers, who have played 28 games. Hearts are at the top of the table with 60 points from 28 games.

Celtic will head into the game against VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League this week on the back of a 2-1 defeat to Hibernian at Celtic Park in the Scottish Premiership. It came after a 4-1 defeat to VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Europa League, which followed a 3-2 victory over Kilmarnock on the road in the league.

Team News:

Celtic are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation against VfB Stuttgart. Viljami Sinisalo will be in goal for the Hoops, with Colby Donovan, Liam Scales, Auston Trusty and Marcelo Saracchi in front of him in defence. Callum McGregor, Luke McCowan and Benjamin Nygren will be deployed in midfield. Yang, Sebastian Tounekti and Junior Adamu will be the three forwards.

Key Factors to Consider

• VfB Stuttgart have won 5 of their last 6 UEFA Europa League matches.
• VfB Stuttgart have won 4 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• VfB Stuttgart have lost 1 and drawn 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
• Celtic have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 6 UEFA Europa League games.
• Celtic have won 4 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.

Conclusion

It is hard to see Celtic do anything of note in this particular game. The Hoops were hammered in the first leg at Celtic Park, and there is a very good chance that they will meet with the same fate in Germany.

Prediction: VfB Stuttgart to win 3-1

Best Odds: 8/1

Bookmaker: Zetbet